READER'S EDITORIAL: THE PUBLIC SAFETY CHOICE FOR JUDGE

By: Ernie Susi, President, San Diego County Probation Officers Association;

Ben Kelso, President, San Diego Black Police Officers Association;

Alan R. Alvarez, President, National Non-Partisan Latino Peace Officers Association for Law and Order; and

Kevin McQuillen, President Fraternal Order of Police (San Diego Lodge #10)

October 11, 2014 (San Diego)--We expect judges to understand public safety issues.  We hope they come to the bench with a track record of experience and supporting law enforcement and the community.  In the November election there’s only one contested Superior Court Judge race, seat #25.  The obvious choice is clear: Deputy Attorney General Brad Weinreb.

San Diego law enforcement understands how the "Realignment Act” (AB 109) impacts Public Safety.  The February 2014 SANDAG report indicated the Act has resulted in one in three offenders being in local jails instead of state prison.  We also have various early or medical parole release plans, drug diversion and alternate sentencing plans with the hopeful goal of reducing the revolving door of recidivism, along with a ballot measure now that would lower to misdemeanors certain drug on non-violent felonies offenses.  The relationship between law enforcement and our courts is incredibly important because many of these criminals will be released into our community sooner than ever before.  We need Judges who understand how these changes impact Public Safety.  Brad Weinreb will be one of those kind of judges. 

Brad Weinreb has been a Deputy Attorney General and state prosecutor in San Diego, and has spent almost 25 years making sure violent criminals remain in prison or off our streets.  He has a proven track record and experience prosecuting significant cases in our courts like the case upholding lifetime civil commitments for sexually violent predators, the first California case to uphold a sexual molestation victims' right to have a courthouse dog accompany them to the witness stand, the case that helps prosecute animal abuse and neglect and decisions that help law enforcement to track registered sex offenders. He's an expert on "Jessica's Law" and Human Trafficking and teaches law enforcement and prosecutors about constitutional rights of crime victims under "Marsy's Law." His dedication to crime victims and Public Safety resulted in Brad being recognized as one of the "Top 100" Attorneys in California in 2010.

Our opinion Brad Weinreb is the most qualified candidate is shared by others.  The San Diego County Bar Association thoroughly evaluated the candidates and their reputations, character and experiences.  They interviewed both candidates and considered input from judges and members of the community.  Only Brad was rated “qualified" to be a Judge.  And over 100 Superior Court Judges support him as the kind of colleague they'd like on the bench.  The San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association and several local bar associations endorse him. In addition to the legal community, Brad Weinreb has the support of Crime Victims Action Alliance, Crime Victims United, San Diegans Against Crime and several law enforcement associations.  He also has support from bipartisan elected officials and respected Public Safety leaders like Sheriff Bill Gore, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, as well as Public Defender Henry Coker and community leaders like the Reverend George Walker Smith.  He also serves on the Board of the Richard Dreyfuss Civics Initiative and the San Diego Animal Support Foundation, giving back to our communities.

There's another factor that makes him different and we sometimes overlook it when we think about judicial candidates.  Integrity and Ethics.  Our democracy rests on the need for public confidence in our judicial system.  Brad Weinreb investigated and prosecuted judicial misconduct cases for the Commission on Judicial Performance, giving him appreciation for judicial temperament, objectivity, fairness and ethical conduct of judges on and off the bench.  He understands there’s no place for ideology in Justice: judges should rise above imparting their political or personal views. Our courts should follow the law and treat everyone equal, regardless of their race, religion, gender, orientation or level of income.

We believe that's important.  So does Sheriff Bill Gore who said, "As a prosecutor Brad keeps violent criminals and child predators off the streets.  Just as important, Brad's fair-minded with the character and integrity expected from our judges."  We hope you agree on November 4th.  Brad Weinreb is the clear Public Safety choice for San Diego County Superior Court Judge.

The opinions in this editorial reflect those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.